Explosive thrust-producing coupling

Abstract

A separation device (23a-23d) comprises a frangible joint (24a-24d) comprising joinder flanges (27a, 27b) interconnected by walls (126a, 126b, 226a, 226b, 326a, 326b, 426a, 426b) having fracture grooves (28a, 28b) and defining a channel (36a-36c) therein. Within the channel (36a-36c) is disposed an expansion member (10, 10a, 10b) containing a detonation charge (16) and having expansion regions (34a-34c, 134a, 134b) that expand upon detonation of the charge (16). The expansion region bears against walls at the junctions (32a, 32b, 32b', 132a, 132b, 232a, 232b) thereof with joinder flanges (27a, 27b) to provide separation thrust as well as causing frangible joint (24a-24d) to fracture at fracture grooves (28a, 28b).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A separation device for separably joining two structures, comprising: a frangible joint comprising at least two joinder flanges, there being a joinder flange for each structure to be separably joined and a fracture region connecting the joinder flanges, the fracture region comprising frangible walls comprising fracture grooves, the walls interconnecting the joinder flanges and forming junctions therewith and defining a channel in the fracture region; and   an expansion member disposed in the channel in substantial surface contact with the channel walls, the expansion member comprising a containment tube, a detonation charge, and a charge holder supporting the detonation charge within the containment tube, the expansion member comprising an expansion region proximate to each fracture groove to exert outward pressure on the channel wall upon detonation of the detonation charge to fracture the channel wall;   there being an expansion region proximate to a wall junction to provide separation thrust upon detonation of the detonation charge.   
     
     
       2. The separation device of claim 1 wherein each junction is a wall-supporting junction and wherein there is an expansion region proximate to each fracture groove. 
     
     
       3. The separation device of claim 2 wherein the channel and expansion member have a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration having two pairs of parallel sides constituting expansion regions, one pair of sides being disposed proximately to the junctions and the other pair of sides being disposed proximately to the channel walls. 
     
     
       4. The separation device of claim 1 wherein at least a first junction is a wall-supporting junction dimensioned and configured to inhibit wall fracture or deformation proximately to a first joinder flange. 
     
     
       5. The separation device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the channel in the fracture region has a generally oblong cross-sectional configuration having a major axis and a minor axis, and wherein the wall junctions are disposed in diametric opposition along the minor axis of the channel. 
     
     
       6. The separation device of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein at least one junction is a yielding junction having fracture grooves disposed proximately thereto. 
     
     
       7. The separation device of claim 6 wherein the channel in the fracture region has a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration and wherein an apex of the triangle is disposed proximately to a first junction and wherein the base of the triangle opposing the apex is disposed proximately to a second junction. 
     
     
       8. The separation device of claim 7 wherein the second junction is a wall-supporting junction and wherein the sides of the triangle adjacent to the apex comprise the fracture grooves. 
     
     
       9. The separation device of claim 7 wherein the first junction is a wall-supporting junction and wherein the fracture grooves are disposed proximately to the second junction, whereby the expansion region proximately to the second junction serves to fracture the channel walls and to provide separation thrust. 
     
     
       10. The separation device of claim 9 wherein the detonation charge is disposed proximately to the second junction.